From Hastinapur and Kurukshetra; 7 places from the epic Mahabharata you can still visit

Mahabharata is a timeless tale of love, betrayal and family honour. In India, there are place that gives us a glimpse into the stories of glory, heroism, and brotherhood we’ve heard in our childhood. From the sacred battlefields of Kurukshetra to the submerged lands of Dwarka, one can be part of the epic journey through the history of our land.

Let’s retrace our steps through a blend of spiritual and archaeological discoveries:

This site is located in Haryana, known worldwide as the site of the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. This is also where Lord Krishna preached the Bhagavad Gita to Arjun at the sacred place: Jyotisar under the ancient banyan tree. One must visit this place as now it has a marble chariot sculpture, and a light and sound show also happens here in the evening. The Brahma Sarovar here is considered a sacred tank where Yudhishthira performed rituals celebrating the war’s aftermath, and Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is also located here, believed to be the location where the Pandavas sought divine blessings from Shiva.

Hastinapur was the capital of the Kuru dynasty in Uttar Pradesh. Archaeological excavations show that painted grey ware remains align with the Mahabharata period. One can visit the Pandeshwar Temple, Draupadi Ghat, Karna Temple, and Vidur Tila, and all of these locations are tied to some or the other incident of Mahabharata, increasing their mythological significance. This city is also rich in religious heritage, as Jambudweep Jain complex and Kailash Parvat are also located here, which showcase Jain art and cosmology.

This magnificent city is now known as Old Delhi or Purana Qila. This is the legendary Pandava capital built by architect Vishwakarma on the Yamuna’s bank. Archaeologists have found painted grey ware here that hint at an ancient settlement dating back to the period of Mahabharata. The remains of the history can still be seen in present-day Delhi. One must definitely visit this site to experience the grandeur of the Pandavas’ empire.

This site is located in Gujarat and has served as the kingdom of Lord Krishna, who played a very important role in the epic tale of Mahabharata. One can visit the Dwarkadish Temple here that is located near the coast, and also the Bet Dwarka island, which is considered as Lord Krishna’s original residence. Marine archaeologists have found certain structures under the water that show the remnants of the ancient city as described in the epic.

Mathura is the place where Lord Krishna was born, now the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up and has temples like Banke Bihari and ISKCON Temple on Yamuna’s banks and at Govardhan Hill. All the temples located here celebrate Lord Krishna’s playful youth with Radha and other gopis. These towns still have great devotional culture for the deity and are considered major pilgrimage centers.

This is a village in West Bengal which is believed to be the place where the Pandavas stayed during exile or after escaping the house of lac. This is also the place where Bhima killed the demon Bakasura. This town got its name from a discarded wheel thrown by Krishna during the battle. The town has certain sacred shrines and memorials even today; some temples are dedicated to Bhima and Draupadi.

These sites are located in Uttarakhand and are Himalayan landscapes considered to be the Pandavas’ final ascent to God. Swargarohini Peak located here is seen as their stairway to heaven, and Satopanth Lake nearby marks the traditional exit point of their epic journey. Both of these sites are the perfect blend of spiritual significance and natural beauty. The famous pilgrimage town of Badrinath is also located nearby, which venerates Sage Vyasa, who is given the credit for composing the Mahabharata here during the exile.